Coromandel is a fiery orange-based red with just a flicker of orange shimmer that’s very, very subtle. It applies evenly with ease (which is a huge OMG-YES! factor from this product, period), and it feels like a satiny, lightly creamy lip color that hugs lips without drying them out (in fact, hydrating). It has a glossy sheen that lasts for hours, which does fade when you eat/drink through a whole meal, but the color itself hangs on like a trooper–see the evidence here. Coromandel goes on opaque in one layer; there’s no real need to layer here. I usually just slip out the applicator and apply with whatever is on it and I’m good to go.

The only downsides of Rouge Allure Laques are that they’re pricey at $32 a pop. The packaging is solid black with a slight glossy appearance–it’s subtle and sleek. To rationalize the price a bit (at least for myself), I consider this pretty much a wear-and-go lip color–that means it’s a gloss and a lipstick in one. There’s absolutely no need to layer on additional lip products with these, because the color is so intense and pigmented and the product itself has the look of a lipstick with a gloss over it… there’s literally no need. This makes it a two-for kind of deal, but it’s also superb for traveling or touch-ups. Get fancy lip color with no fuss!

I personally do prefer Dragon over Coromandel for a red, but I find myself drawn to more neutral reds–“true reds”–over orange-y reds. They’re both beautiful shades, and I’m sure there are some who prefer Coromandel over Dragon and vice versa!

Product: 29/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 5/5

Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you love orange-based reds with lots of sizzle and pop, check out Coromandel!

Guerlain Gaela Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick($45.00 for 0.12 oz.) is the ultimate in lip luxury. This lipstick’s compact was designed by Lorenz Bäumer, a famous jeweler from the Place Vendôme in Paris, which is one reason this lipstick compact comes with a high price tag.

Gaela is a pretty-in-pink shade. It’s a medium pink with a slight sheen but not a whole lot of shimmer. I’d classify it as a neutral-warm pink, and it’s bright enough to add a pop of color to lips, but it’s not so bright that it stands out from miles away. It applies opaquely with one layer, and even from the tube, it goes on fairly evenly.

Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipsticks are creamy, long-wearing, often opaque to semi-opaque in color pay off, and they feel hydrating once slicked onto lips. The wear-time depends on the intensity of the shades (e.g. darker shades like reds and burgundies will last longer and easily get through a meal with minimal fading, but lighter shades disappear a bit faster), but I get no less than six hours of wear with these babies. I can even get through drinking/eating, too. I do find that there is some noticeable fading after eating a meal, but it’s not a deal-breaker. These just feel very lightweight and yet give you amazing color with a few swipes. They last long enough to get me through the day without worrying about fading lip color, and they leave my lips feeling hydrated.

The packaging is sleek, luxe, and more than most look for in lipstick packaging. It’s a heavy, metal-based compact (the heaviest lipstick I’ve personally owned) with a flip-top mirror on the outside casing, which can be handy for re-application. Now, I’m not willing to fork over extra money for a mirror (hey, I can buy a $2 mirror and keep that in my purse instead!), and even though I love innovative packaging, I’m not sold on paying for it, you know? The packaging does keep fingerprints like other Guerlain packaging, but I will say that fingerprints are a lot less noticeable (hardly noticeable, in fact) compared to their other packaging. It’s most noticeable when I take flash photography of the product (ha!), but not when you’re just looking (admiring?) it. Bottom line: packaging is gorgeous and every bit luxe, but I’d rather pay $35 and skip some of the bells and whistles of the case.

For those who love to splurge on luxury beauty items, Guerlain Le Rouge G de Guerlain didn’t disappoint me. In fact, I really love the lipstick formula itself, and I’d love to see it offered sans the heavy-duty luxe packaging if only so I could feel better about purchasing these!

Product: 28/30

Value: 7/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you’re feeling like a splurge, Guerlain’s Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipsticks aren’t a bad place to start. The formula is outstanding, but the price tag is tough to swallow–pretty much the only reason this product isn’t rated an A.

Rouge Allure Lipstick ($30.00)

Hysteria is a deep, dark cool-toned blackened, red-toned purple. It goes on very opaque and layers well. Applied with a lip brush and/or over a dark lip liner, this color is very intense and completely solid. It has subtle violet-purple shimmer and a glossy finish.

Maniac is a dark brown-based red–almost reminds me of a deep, dark blood red in a way. Like Hysteria, it applies better with a lip brush rather than straight outta the tube (which is often the course you’d take with such a dark and bold lip color like this anyway). This one has very subtle reddish shimmer that’s almost missed by the eye. It has the same glossy finish as Hysteria.

Obscure is a dark, terracotta-warmed brown. It also has a glossy finish with just a slight bit of coppery orange shimmer. This one applied the best straight from the tube, but it, too, applies better when you use a lip brush.

I’m a big fan of Chanel lip products. Their eye products are often misses for me, but their lip products rarely disappoint. I’m so pleased to see truly opaque, richly pigmented colors release from this high-end brand. These aren’t imitations of bold, fall lip colors at all–they’re intense and well-pigmented. My advice is to line with a lip liner and potentially fill in all of your lips with it (you can try a flesh-toned, lip-toned, or similar-toned shade) and then apply using a lip brush for precision. Bold lips look best when they’re well-defined, so a lip brush for application is really necessary!

Rouge Allure lipsticks are creamy, silky, and are nearly always pigmented. They wear incredibly well throughout the day (several hours and still hang on a bit after eating/drinking) and fade in such a way that doesn’t leave any funny rings or the like around your mouth. They’re hydrating and just feel good on the lips.

Lipstick

Nude Rose is a semi-sheer, milky pale pink-beige. It’s kind of like a nude lip color, but it has enough pink tones to it that it warms it up and gives it color.

Blood Red is a semi-opaque pinky-raspberry shade. It’s not red on me at all; it’s definitely pink and maybe a deep pink at that, but given its name, I was expecting something quite different.

Tinted Lip Conditioner

Fuchsia Fix is a bright pinky-fuchsia creamy lip color that is really only meant to add a bit of a tint to lips. Fuchsia Fix has always been a favorite, because it does tint my lips a brighter pink shade, but it’s not actually a hot or bright pink on.

These are surprisingly soft lip colors in comparison to the Style Black collection from last week!

Product: 8/10

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 8/10

Packaging: 8/10

Recommendation: If you like rosy, pinky shades, you should consider these.

MAC Dazzleglass Creme Collection: Lip Swatches

Of course, I’m not going to leave you without lip swatches! I also included side-by-side comparisons of my natural lips vs. the lipgloss — let me know if you like the inclusion of these. I still included the full-size close-ups of each shade, though.

Chanel: Dragon Rouge Allure Laque for the Perfect Red Lip

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque ($32.00) is one of the most stunning shades of red I’ve ever had the pleasure to wear. I’m absolutely in love with the vibrancy, subtle shimmer, and opacity. There are eight lovely shades available — you can see a full list here.

The Rouge Allure Laque formula is satiny, smooth, and very pigmented. (Lighter shades seem to go on more semi-opaque, though.) Dragon is inspiring. It’s just that kind of color to me! It wears well, and it leaves behind a very nice stain even as it fades after eating (I managed five hours of amazing wear before eating).

It’s also very easy to apply straight from the tube, despite being such an intense shade. The applicator is doe-footed, but it’s modified – it’s grooved and fits against the lips really well. The finish is high shine, slightly glossy, and such rich, vibrant color. Even though $32 is pricey (at least, for most) for a lip product, the fact that this is basically a lipstick and gloss in one, has intense color that requires no work to achieve… I think it’s well worth it.

Love, love, LOVE. I’m definitely going to check out the other shades and see which other ones I have to get!

Product: 29/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 5/5

Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a way to indulge, Rouge Allure Laques may be a way to go. Chanel lip products rarely disappoint me, but this one not only met my expectations but INSPIRED me!